Tag: Fit Mum

I am so excited about this summer season. I know everyone is but I’m REEEEALLY excited about it. I was out pretty much the whole of last year due to my second pregnancy, recovery and learning about life with two kids. Don’t let anyone fool you – its hard, really hard. Its the tiredness that kills you – you don’t sleep for the first nine months – you’re winning at life if you manage to leave the house with your eyebrows on.

I rode a bit here and there last year, grabbed moments when I could, but I couldn’t really get stuck in. I couldn’t push my riding because it takes time to recover from child birth, and it seems to take much MUCH longer the second time, which I’ll admit, I wasn’t expecting. This is because you don’t have as much time – a little toddler is bouncing around with tonnes of energy, you’re tired because every night at least one of the kids decides to be a dick and wake up once or twice, house jobs are never ending, nap times are for work rather than napping yourself, and working out in the evening?? Whatever, thats for wine – to celebrate keeping everyone alive for another day.

I’ve been working with a trainer all winter alongside riding when I can just to get my riding fitness back up. We’ve upped the game on the PT side of things now that my body can take a bit more of a beating and I’m getting stronger all the time. My current goal is to get back to my pre second baby level of fitness which is still going to take a huge amount of effort but it’ll be worth it, once its done its done as there are definitely no more babies!

Next week my allocated weekly riding time starts and I literally cannot wait!! So this summer can bring it, I’m shred ready! Eeeeeeeeeks!!

Baby number one, check. Got back into shape, check. Baby number two, check.

Now its time to get back into shape for the second (and last time – no more babies!). Everyone I’ve spoken to said it was much harder the second time around to get your body back. I’ll be honest and admit to thinking it was a load of bullshit and that if you really wanted your figure back, you’d do it. ***

Ahhhhh sweet ignorance.

Well now I’m smack dab right in the middle of it. Five months post baby and not an ab in sight. The fact that I’ve done completely bugger all for the past couple of months might have something to do with it.

Why? Why when I started out so well (power walking, yoga, circuits & wakeboarding), and then just stopped?

I’ll tell you why.

Its because I now have not one, but two kids. Two little people demanding my undivided attention from 6am until 7:30pm, and then an hour or two in the night as well (from both kids on a bad night – turns out toddler sleep regression is actually a real thing). I know this is only short term until the new baby goes through the night (or at least thats what I’m told), but I’m continuously exhausted and the thought of working out, or doing anything for that matter, seems like the biggest task in the world, (if the bathroom gets cleaned this month it’ll be a bloody miracle).

Its not all bad though as through all the power walking (while pushing a double buggy), living room yoga, kitchen circuits, clean eating, and wakeboarding, I’ve dropped the baby weight (had about a stone to shed), but now its time to tighten up. I want to feel strong and energetic again. Is that too much to ask?

Apparently so.

I’ve started working with PT Chris Kelly to get me back into shape. I know, first world problem to have a trainer, right? However, I see it as an investment into myself. How much are you willing to pay to get the ‘you’ you want back? I could spend that money on booze (I probably would but Aldi now do a great, and cheap, wine selection), or I could spend it on a gym membership, which I’m not going to lie, I seriously thought about doing. But personally, me joining a gym doesn’t actually get me to the gym, I wouldn’t go and I’d be £££ worse off a month with no results.

Also the body has been through a hell of a lot with bringing a baby into the world and you need to be careful with how you train afterwards. So I thought it best to seek professional advice, and as a coach myself, I know the benefits of having a coach and how they can see things you can’t and guide you towards your goals.

I’ve had three sessions so far and I’m feeling good. I’m always so much happier after a workout because my body’s moving and my bloods pumping, I feel ready for the day ahead, that along with eating right keeps me sane!

*** I know everyone is different. All different shapes and sizes. Its about doing what is right for you and what makes you happy. Some people are happy with their new postpartum body that has just created a child and thats great, it really is, the female body an incredible machine! But I personally don’t feel happy in myself unless I know my body can do certain things. And these are physical things, such as wakeboarding, which is tough on the body. If my body can’t do what I want it to do, I’m not a happy chappy. So I do all this to keep me on the water which keeps me happy! ***

Since having my second baby, I’ve been dying to get back into shape. I managed to do it after my first child, so why not do it again! I’m 11 weeks post baby and getting there slowly slowly. Its early days but its definitely different this time around. In some ways its easier because I know I can do this as I’ve done it before, but that makes it harder because I’m expecting fast results, and you don’t just replace a stone of fat with muscle over night. Its also harder because I’m so much more tired this time around… my iron levels are getting there (which also make you tired). And two kids. Not easy.

I’m doing well so far, technically only have five more pounds to lose to be back at my pre pregnancy weight, but that doesn’t really represent the work that is to come. I have so much more to do to get back to the shape that I’m comfortable with and at my happiest. Muscle is slowly building and I can get into my first trimester clothing (when you don’t look pregnant but you need to buy clothing in a size up).

SO, what have I been doing to get back into shape?! Well, lots of power walking as I can’t run yet – and pushing two kiddies in a buggy definitely makes you work up sweat! I’m on my wakeboard as much as possible, thats roughly every couple of weeks at the moment for about an hour. Living room yoga, kitchen circuits and garage free-weights. I try to do one of these activities two / three times a week. This is paired with eating as clean as possible plus drinking loads of water. (I still reward myself with my giant cookie during the night feed as I’m still breast feeding, honestly, its the only thing that gets me through!)